Get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even squirm a little—because the Broadway sensation ‘Oh, Mary!’ is hitting the road, and Chicago is on the map. But here’s where it gets controversial: this isn’t your typical historical drama. It’s a dark, queer comedy that dares to reimagine Mary Todd Lincoln, the First Lady often overshadowed by her husband’s legacy, as a miserable alcoholic with suppressed desires and unrequited yearning. Bold? Absolutely. Thought-provoking? You bet. And this is the part most people miss: it’s also hilariously absurd, breaking box office records and challenging audiences to see history through a completely new lens.
Written by the fearless Cole Escola and directed by Sam Pinkerton, ‘Oh, Mary!’ has been a Broadway juggernaut since its July 2024 debut. According to Deadline, it’s shattered its own box office records 12 times and became the first show of the 2024-25 season to recoup its investment. At New York’s Lyceum Theatre, it made history by grossing over $1 million in a single week—a first in the venue’s 121-year existence. Now, it’s not just a New York phenomenon; it’s gone global, with a recent debut at London’s Trafalgar Theatre and a nationwide tour set to kick off in Hartford, Connecticut, this fall.
The tour will crisscross the country, stopping in major cities like Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., before landing in Chicago. While the exact date and venue are still under wraps, one thing’s for sure: this isn’t your grandma’s history lesson. The play’s synopsis teases a unique perspective: ‘Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola).’ Yes, you read that right—an idiot. And it works.
What makes ‘Oh, Mary!’ even more intriguing is its rotating cast of powerhouse performers. Escola themselves have taken on the titular role, alongside stars like Jinkx Monsoon, Betty Gilpin, Tituss Burgess, and Jane Krakowski. John Cameron Mitchell is set to join the ranks at the Lyceum Theatre from February 3 through April 26. As for the tour cast? That’s still a mystery, adding another layer of anticipation.
But here’s the real question: Is it okay to laugh at the struggles of a historical figure like Mary Todd Lincoln? Does humor diminish her pain, or does it humanize her in a way textbooks never could? This play doesn’t shy away from controversy—it embraces it. And that’s what makes it so compelling. Whether you’re a history buff, a theater enthusiast, or just someone who loves a good laugh, ‘Oh, Mary!’ promises to be a conversation starter. So, what do you think? Is this the kind of storytelling we need, or does it cross a line? Let’s debate it in the comments—because one thing’s certain: this show isn’t leaving anyone indifferent.
